Citizens’ Memorandum Confronts Wisconsin’s Factory Farm Industry

A press release has been delivered by a collective of concerned citizens groups in Wisconsin, who are proposing to alter the way the Department of Natural Resources regulates Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The grassroots organizers have proposed a “Citizens’ Memorandum of Understanding” to offer balance to a similar memorandum between the DNR and the Dairy Business Association.

Citizen environmental groups have been claiming that the operations of massive factory farms are detrimental to the environment and natural water supplies, and that the agreement between the DNR and the DBA has led to a relaxation on regulations of these farms. Of most concern is the protection of groundwater, as the heavy volume of manure from CAFOs can easily lead to the contamination of rivers and lakes, as demonstrated by many previous incidents.

The statement corresponds with the April 22 celebration of Earth Day, where environmental advocates from around the world recognize the planet’s ecological crisis. The protection of clean water is an important issue globally, as many regions are in the midst of a water crisis.

The state of Wisconsin is a major agricultural center in the US, and a victory for citizens here could set a major example for private citizens demanding their rights against large corporate interests, who frequently have unequal access to government groups due to their economic influence.

Among the groups supporting the memorandum are Family Farm Defenders, the Valley Stewardship Network and the Crawford Stewardship Project.

Press Release:

MADISON, WI – Community groups from throughout the State will make an Earth Day appeal tomorrow to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to change the way it regulates Wisconsin’s largest factory farms.  Numerous organizations, including several groups that formed in response to factory farms in their communities, are proposing a “Citizens Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) that would redefine how the DNR regulates Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).  The citizens’ proposal will come on the last day before close of public comment for the DNR’s proposed General Permits for factory dairies.

Through the MOU, citizens are reaching out to DNR to remind the agency of its mission to protect natural resources on behalf of Wisconsin citizens.  Last year DNR signed a similar agreement with the Dairy Business Association (DBA), the main lobby group for Wisconsin factory farms, which the groups assert has undermined the agency’s mission and compromised its integrity.

“What better day than Earth Day to give DNR the opportunity to work with its real constituents – the citizens of this State – and gain DNR’s commitment to regulating factory farms as required by law,” said Jennifer Nelson of Crawford Stewardship Project.  “The DNR’s unethical agreement with the Dairy Business Association showed the unprecedented influence factory farms have over the agency, and today we offer an alternative to get DNR back on track,” she added.

The MOU will be delivered to DNR Thursday, adding to citizen input opposing General Permits for dairy CAFOs.  The MOU proposes that DNR reconsider this environmental rollback, which would streamline approval of new factory farms and severely limit citizen input on the permit terms for proposed facilities.

“The General Permits are the result of DNR’s back room deal with the Dairy Business Association, and do nothing to protect Wisconsin communities or water quality.  DNR should instead focus on better enforcement at the factory farms we already have, to prevent even more pollution of our waters,” said Russ Tooley of Centerville CARES.

The MOU does commend DNR for demanding increased fees for CAFO permits, and urges the agency to stand behind its statements that the General Permits will not issue unless it has the fees needed to effectively enforce them.  The Citizens seek to work with DNR to change the way it addresses CAFO pollution in part by establishing regular stakeholder meetings with the agency.